Overview:

: The Cathedral of Zipaquira - Zipaquira In Colombia is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the city of Zipaquira, Colombia. It is built into the salt mine of Zipaquira, which is located approximately 180 km from Bogota, the capital of Colombia. The Cathedral is renowned for its intricate architecture and beautiful artwork that adorns the walls of the mine. It attracts thousands of visitors every year and is an important religious and cultural site in Colombia. Since it was built in the 16th century, the Cathedral has been a major pilgrimage site for Catholics in the region. The Cathedral was also declared a National Monument of Colombia in 1995 in recognition of its cultural importance to the country. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Colombia
Prominent Features:

, the cathedral of Zipaquirá is a very famous tourist attraction built in to a mountain salt mine. It was built in the mid-20th century and is the site of a traditional Catholic pilgrimage. It features an elaborate Baroque style interior, which includes 18 carved mausoleums, brightly colored stained glass windows, and a life-sized sculpture of Jesus. Visitors are invited to explore the mine by taking winding underground tunnels to admire the formations of salt crystals. Additionally, the cathedral is home to a variety of religious artifacts, including statues and paintings of the Virgin Mary and other holy figures. This national monument of Colombia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Cathedral of Zipaquira is one of the oldest and most important religious monuments in Colombia. Built around the 16th century, it is the main building of the National Monuments of Zipaquira, a set of colonial monuments recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1995. The construction of the Cathedral began in 1547 when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the region, in order to evangelize and promote the Catholic faith among the native communities. The first chapel was erected in 1568 under the patronage of the Governor Diego de Mazariegos de Bobadilla. The current building, however, was designed by Simón Rodríguez and the works took place between 1771 and 1793. The architect was inspired by Baroque style and the Rococo influence is evident in the columns, doors and windows. In 1945, the township of Zipaquira was officially declared a city, and the cathedral was blessed and consecrated in the same year by Monsignor Rafael García y García, Archbishop of Bucaramanga. It was named “Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario” and since then it has been working as the main temple of Zipaquira. Throughout the years, the cathedral has gone through several renovations in order to keep its original charm, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city. You must visit one of these historical places in Colombia on your Colombia tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Cathedral of Zipaquira, also known as the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, is a unique Roman Catholic church that is located in the Zipaquira municipality of Cundinamarca, Colombia. 2. Built inside a 500-foot-deep salt mine, the Cathedral of Zipaquira is the world’s first underground cathedral and the most famous underground church in South America. 3. The Cathedral of Zipaquira was designed by architect Rosín was officially opened to the public in 1995 and is home to around 8,000 worshippers each year. 4. The entire complex was renovated in 2009 and there are now two levels within the underground church – a stunning main nave at the lowest level which houses four chapels. 5. The walls of the chapel are decorated with symbolic stamps of the mysteries of salvation, lanterns of light, images of salt miners and a big cross. 6. The Cathedral of Zipaquira serves as a place of pilgrimage, attracting millions of tourists from Latin America and around the world who are interested in visiting the unique underground church. Visit one of the famous monuments of Colombia with your friends and family.